Socket flasher



Sept. 25, 1928.

N. ABRAMSON SOCKET FLASHER Filed March 6, 1926 Mal/an JFI'VENTOR ATTORNEY ,latented Sept. 25, 1928.

ATES PATENT OFFICE;

NATHAN ABRAmsomor BROOKLYN, new YORK.

SOCKET; FLASHER.

Application filed March 6, 1926. Serial N0. 9 2,862.

This invention relates to thermostatic switching apparatus, and. more particularly has reference to devices adapted for intermittently flashing lamps, .orthelike, such as electric signs, or advertising devices.

It IS usual 1n. such devices to have adjusting means for controlling the length of time ot the flash or lighting of lamps,

It is customary to install in the circuit an adjusting screw and this screw is usually Within the body of the receptacle. In this system, when a change in adjustment is required, such as lengthening or shortening of the flash, the entire receptacle must be re- A further object of this invention is to provide a socket. flasher unafi'ected either by vibration or external temperatures.

The invention will be more fully under stood in connection with the description of the accompanying drawingwherein-- -The figure is a view of my improved socket flasher. I

Ishall show and describe myinvention as used in connection with incandescent electric'lamps, but it is obvious that it isequally I well adapted for any other use where the periodic opening and closing of an electric circuit is desired. As shown, 1 represents a" base of porcelain, vulcanized fiber, or the like, having upright receptacle 2, enclosing a metallic shell 3 for receiving a lamp. 7

IVithin the hollow. portion of the base, I arrange a thermostatic switch 4, supported from the base by means of a screw 5.

The thermostatic element 4.- is covered partly with asbestos insulation-6. At the end of theelement 4, I inserta silver rivet 7.

At the upper face of the base 1, I. arrange a horizontal strip of metal 8 held to the base at 9. This strip is punched and tapped at 10 and 11.

In the opening 10 of the stri.p,I arrange a vertical adjusting screw12 in close proximity to the receptacle 2 and held firmly by a nut ld.

' The bottom or point of the adjusting screw 12 has a silver point 14 set therein.

Through the other opening 11, I arrange a screw and nut to hold. a wire 15 to said metallic strip 8'.

At another portion of the base 1, I attach to the surface an upturned strip of metal 16 having the upturned portion 17 directly under the lamp (not shown) and the other end tapped and held fast to the base by means of a screw 18. This screwalso holds in connection to the strip a wire 19.

Tothe metallic shell 3, I form a connectlon 20, to the thermostatic element 4: by means of screw 5. 1

At the screw 5 I also attach a resistance wire 22, touching the bare element 1 and wound around the asbestos 6 and extending to the strip 8 and held fast by the nut 13. The wires 15 and 19 go to the generator. In operation when a lamp is inserted in the shell 3 and the current is on, traversing along wire 15, along strip 8, thenthrough resistance wire 22, then connection 20,

. through shell 3, filament of lamp (not shown) then through strip 17 generator.

Owing to the high resistance in the wire 22 the power is all consumed. in heatingthe thermostatic element 4-, very little of the power or wattage is left to light the filament. The heating of element l causes it to bend upwards and makes contact at 7 and 14. The screw .12 can be turned and the distance between 7 and 1 1 can be varied thus adjusting the time element of the flasher.

When contact'between 7 and 14 is made, the resistance wire is shunted and the curthen back to rent flows through the, element 1 and directly through the lamp.

The resistance wire will. now cool and the thermostatic element will contract and break the connection at 7' and 14 and the previous operation repeated. I

A particular feature of this device, is that the adjusting screw 12 is on the open face and adjacent to the receptacle 2 and when adjustment as to the rate of flashing is desired, such adjustment may be made without removing of socket and without inciining of screw driver or other operating implement.

The invention is capable of various modifications and changes, without departing fit from its scope, and may be combined with various forms of translating devices to obtain a periodic, automatic operation.

Having thus described my invention, I declare that what I claim as new and'desire to secure by Letters Patent, is 1- 1. In a device of the class described, a receptacle for housinga translating device, a hollow base for housing a thermostatic switch, said switch being iierpendicular t0 the axis of said receptacle, an adjusting means on the outside of the base and adjacent to the receptacle and parallel thereto.

in the county of New York, this 3 NATHAN ABRAMSON. 

